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  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire

  L. R. Wards

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  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire CHAPTER ONE

  Lily laughed at something David said as her eyes slid past his shoulder at the polished dark green Jaguar that slid up next to the curb and she groaned. She was never one on attracting attention but there would be plenty with that car. If it wasn‘t the car that attracted the attention, as soon as the six foot four Irishman got out, heads really began to turn.

  Maximilian King had everything going for him. Besides being disgustingly rich, he was handsome, sexy and gave off such a seductive presence that every woman within eyesight swivelled their heads in his direction as if some unseen force called to them.

  Just like her.

  She hated herself for it because she fell so easily in that trap. Yet watching him now, she really shouldn‘t be so hard on herself. He was utterly gorgeous to look at and she was more susceptible to his magnetism because she had known him forever. You‘d think she would have built up some sort of immunity over a period of time. Isn‘t that what happened when exposed to something over and over again? Yet, the more she thought about it, the more she knew there was no such cure for what she had.

  It wasn‘t just women that fell at his feet. Men were attracted to his charisma like a magnet because he wore his success like a neon sign. Most successful people were easily recognized by the cut and cost of their suits, but Max didn‘t need that, he had a certain poise and self confidence that told others that even if he were dressed in a sack.

  To prove her point David noticed him immediately after he followed her gaze to the car.

  ―What is it?‖ He said

  turning his head, ―Wow, nice car.‖ He paused, ―Is he looking at you?‖

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  ―Yes, he‘s my brother‘s boss and apparently my ride home.‖ Obviously Luke couldn‘t make it and Max took it upon himself to pick her up. David released a startled ‗wow‘ when he spotted Max. Lily knew right then and there that David recognized him. Who wouldn‘t? Maximilian King was no stranger around here. The library of the college she attended was named after his family and there was a framed picture of them near the entrance. His father was filthy rich and Max had followed in his footsteps setting up his own fortune five hundred company that had created cutting edge communication devices and he was known to have the Midas touch in everything he invested in.

  Her brother, Luke and he had gone to high school, college and eventually university together. Max got a MBA and her brother received a degree in finance and now ran Max‘s top communications company as his number one man.

  She frowned as a young lady stopped and said something to him causing him to grin at her.

  Wasn‘t any female resistant to his charisma?

  She fumed as the she giggled and went on her way, but not without a flirtatious wave of her fingers. Maybe she wouldn‘t be so angry if he had flashed her that sinful grin every now and then. Instead she only got the smiles that were reserved for the little sister of a good friend.

  ―Your brother works for him? That‘s Max King, isn‘t it?

  Wow he‘s much taller than I thought.‖ David saw with apparent awe.

  She shrugged and guided her eyes to David‘s face that was now filled with wonder, ―Yes it is.‖ And sexy, gorgeous and heart stopping, she thought to herself, nothing like the man standing in front of me. David wasn‘t ugly by any means, but he was no Max King.

  Though she really couldn‘t fault David, not many men were 2

  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire gifted like Max was. At least in her eyes.

  ―Wow.‖ He said again. ―You never said anything.‖

  Annoyed, Lily tilted her head at him, ―It wasn‘t important.‖ Already she could see the interest in David‘s eyes at the prospect of getting to know Max so he would hopefully have a job for the summer as an intern. She felt a sinking in the pit of her stomach knowing that he was already lost to her. If anyone had Max‘s name on their resume they were guaranteed a job anywhere.

  Somehow she was hoping he was different. All her life it was the same story. Just because they were friends with the Kings, people pretended to like them in hopes of getting close to the money.

  ―Of course not.‖ David brought his attention back to her realizing his mistake and trying to recover, ―I just didn‘t realize that you had such wealthy friends.‖

  ―He‘s my brother‘s boss, that‘s all.‖ She lied sparing a glance at the arrogantly handsome tall man who was now leaning against his car waiting patiently for her. He was in a totally relaxed pose with the first two buttons of his black silk shirt undone, his long legs crossed at the ankles and his hands in the pockets of his dark grey slacks. Currently, his attention was on something off to her left. Then he lifted his arm and spared a glance at the gold and platinum Rolex on his wrist, checking the time.

  It wasn‘t that he was impatient or anything like that, because if he wanted to leave, he would have just told her.

  Even after all of the years she had known him, he still affected her. It didn‘t help that he was devilishly striking with his dark Irish looks and grey eyes, impeccable taste in designer suits and had the sexual magnetism of an Alpha male in his prime.

  Always an enigma, yet charismatically appealing to her sex leaving a trail of heartbroken women in his wake. Unable to help 3

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  herself she let out a frustrated sigh. The man couldn‘t help but be attractive, even David was falling over himself.

  ―Sure, that‘s why he came to pick you up instead of your brother.‖ David added about her statement of being her brother‘s boss and nothing else. He didn‘t believe her because he knew all about Max King, and he didn‘t seem the sort to pick up relatives of employees. He was rich enough to send someone else to do it.

  She eyed him for a moment unable to squash down the frustration. She‘d gone out with David a few times to do her best to erase Max from her mind thinking that it was just a childhood crush that made her feel the way she did, but it didn‘t work. She still felt undeniably attracted to Max and if there was any uncertainty it was just wiped clean when he drove up. David was nothing compared to the man that Max was. He was a yes man, and Max was a natural leader. He was innovative and exciting and masculine to the teeth, and she knew then no one could ever compare. ―Whatever. I‘ve got to go.‖ She said suddenly fed up with him.

  ―Wait.‖ He grabbed her arm.

  Neither one of them saw Max suddenly stand straight and pull his hands out of his pockets balling them in fists with his pale eyes on the couple a distance away.

  ―Can you at least introduce me?‖ He asked hopefully.

  Appalled, she pulled her arm out of his grasp and glared at him, ―I should have known. Every time I get linked with Max King, I disco
ver my friends‘ true intentions.‖

  He blinked twice and straightened trying to compose himself again, ―It‘s not like that Lily. Will I see you this weekend?‖

  Clearly he was lying and doing a terrible job of it. While he was talking, his eyes were still locked on Max. She stared at him. Now that things were clear to her on why he wanted to see her, she was no longer interested. She would not be used. ―I 4

  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire don‘t think so.‖ She inclined her head toward Max, ―My brother set me up with a job for Max this summer.‖ She added with some satisfaction at the envy he couldn‘t hide, ―I‘m going to be busy.‖

  David looked back at Max still unable to hide the awe he had for him, ―Maybe you can put in a word…‖

  ―I don‘t believe this! Goodbye David.‖ She turned and walked away frustrated and angry. Why did Max have to show up? She couldn‘t help herself but glare at him as she neared him,

  ―Where‘s Luke?‖ Not only that, all of the women around them were practically falling over themselves to get a better look at him and for some reason she wanted to pull out her claws and scratch all of their eyes out.

  ―Hong Kong.‖ He answered with a smile while standing erect and looking down at her, ―And hello to you to.‖ He added seeing her expression and not seeming the least bit deterred by it.

  She‘d forgotten how sexy that deep voice of his was and stopped suddenly to stare at him as a shiver ran down her spine and he was so tall. She hadn‘t seen him in several months, but you‘d think it was ten years by the emotions of longing he aroused in her. When she spoke, her voice nearly cracked,

  ―Hong Kong?‖

  ―Yes.‖ He leaned down and opened the door for her,

  ―He‘ll be back tomorrow night if things go well. I told him I would make sure someone was here to get you—get in button.‖

  He added the last bit softly.

  Button? He had called her that since she could remember and she never knew why because she was too afraid to ask. It sounded like a cutesy name, but when he said it, it sounded salacious. She closed her eyes for a moment to savour the affect it had on her. She had to admit that she loved the way her body reacted around him. It was like some sort of electrical current that only he could ignite.

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  Before getting in the car she turned to him, ―You could have sent someone else?‖ He smiled again and she thought her knees just turned to butter. Oh why did he have to be so darn handsome?

  ―Would you have recognized one of my other employees?

  I have over fifteen thousand.‖ He smiled wryly.

  She rolled her eyes, ―Fine. Point taken.‖ She protested because she was afraid of making a fool out of herself on the ride to Luke‘s apartment. His closeness always turned her into a bumbling fool. Silently she prayed from strength to resist his affect on her knowing that it was pointless.

  He looked back at David who was still standing where she‘d left him and his expression darkened, ―who‘s your friend?‖

  ―Nobody now, thanks to you.‖ She shot, getting in the car missing the expression of relief that spread across his face.

  After he closed her door, he walked around to the driver‘s side and took another opportunity to look at the man that was with Lily. Max knew an eager face when he saw one, and it was written all over that one. He didn‘t mind eager, but he didn‘t like people he cared about being used. Lily didn‘t know it, but Max knew all about this David. Then he actually handled her. He wanted to rip his arm off for touching Lily. His Lily. He pursed his lips and got in, started the engine and turned to her masking his ire, ―Any stops?‖

  ―No. Just take me home okay. I‘m exhausted.‖ She was trying not to look at him and instead focused her gaze on something outside, but she could still feel the heat from his scrutiny.

  ―Why so glum?‖

  Finally she turned to look at him, ―Because every time you show up, I lose a date.‖ He gave her a puzzled expression, ―I mean, I liked that guy.‖ She tossed a thumb in the direction of David who was still gaping, ‖and when he saw you, he fell all to 6

  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire pieces wanting to get to know you. For once I would just like a guy to like me for me.‖

  ―Then quit picking stupid ones.‖ He said dryly Her mouth fell open as she stared at him in disbelief.

  David was in the top ten percentile of their class and far from stupid, but his next words clarified what he meant.

  He gave her an amused lopsided smirk, ―Really honey, if they can‘t see you for what you are, then it‘s their loss.‖

  Always the charmer, ―I‘m not one of your women Max, quit trying to flatter me.‖

  ―One of my…‖ he burst into laughter and shifted the car into gear, pulling away from the curb, while she started fuming.

  ―No you definitely aren‘t.‖ he continued to laugh.

  Even his laugh was downright sexy. Letting out another frustrated sigh she concentrated on the scenery preparing for the long two hour ride back home. She felt almost as if he was laughing directly at her. She always found herself being a tongue tied fumbling fool around him. Moments ago that sloppy smile near had her heart galloping out of her chest. Secretly she wished that he had some sort of attraction for her, but she knew better. He liked high society women, beautiful women, experienced women who could satisfy him in— oh gosh stop it, she scolded herself. Why did she always think of him in such a manner? How come she couldn‘t get him out of her mind?

  Thankfully his voice interrupted the silence.

  ―Did Luke tell you what kind of job you‘d be doing for me?‖

  She swung her head around to face him, ―No.‖ She assumed filing, mail delivery or something along those lines.

  He flicked her a glance before returning his attention to the road, ―You are working on a business administrative degree, are you not?‖

  ―I am…why?‖

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  ―Knowing you Lily, you‘d think I‘d have you deliver coffee to my employees or do a muffin run.‖ He glanced at her again seeing the rising color in her cheeks, ―Not appropriate for an intern in that respect. You are my best friend‘s sister. I have something better in mind.‖

  ―Don‘t do me any favours.‖ She returned with more sarcasm than she meant causing one of his brows to rise.

  ―I‘m not.‖ He answered while studying her expression.

  Actually he was, but it was more for his benefit.

  ―Oh.‖ She added feeling foolish, and then crushed.

  ―I intend on giving you every opportunity to understand what it would be like to work for someone such as myself. I‘m hiring you as my Personal Assistant and once you spend a week with me you won‘t think I was doing you a favour.‖

  ―You can‘t be that bad.‖ she mused.

  Smiling he glanced sideways at her, ―I assure you I‘m not an easy man to work for. I keep long hours, work weekends and I expect you to accompany me on my many trips abroad this summer. If you can work for me you can work for anyone. I‘ve gone through six PAs this year alone.‖

  ―You‘re kidding, right? Six?‖ What woman in their right mind would quit working for him? It must‘ve been brutal for them to quit. One thing she had going for her is that she knew Max better than they did. Not only that, she was certain he wouldn‘t be so hard on her because of who she was. Hopefully she didn‘t let him down.

  Part of her was exhilarated at being with him, close to him, and the other part was scared stiff. Truth was, she was nuts about him and had been since she discovered boys. Although she couldn‘t quite peg the year, it must‘ve been when that boy asked her out in eleventh grade and she said no, because he didn‘t even possess one-eighth of the qualities that Max had. Max was a beautiful image of masculinity. To her he was no less than 8

  The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire perfect, and unfortunately looking for those qualities in another man pretty much left her boyfriends
looking plain and never lasting more than a few months as with David.

  ―No.‖ he said dryly casting a once over glance in her direction, ―Your wardrobe needs an upgrade.‖

  Insulted and embarrassed she turned her head away.

  Just because he wears four thousand dollar suits doesn‘t mean she can afford the same. She looked at her worn jeans and t-shirt. ―I just got out of school. We don‘t wear business suits in class.‖

  ―That‘s not what I meant Lily.‖ He added in a softer tone,

  ―Naturally you will have access to a company credit card and we have several boutiques that cater to my personal staff. I‘ll have Nancy set you up an appointment and get fitted.‖ He was dying to see those legs of hers in a skirt.

  ―Max,‖ she chagrined, ‗I am not a charity case! Luke has plenty of money; he can buy me what I need.‖

  Sighing he pulled the car over to the side of the road and cut the engine. His piercing eyes searched her face for a moment, ―Lily, where is all of this defensiveness coming from?

  This is nothing short of what I would do for another intern, PA, or otherwise. You are going to be my PA next week. You need to look the part. I can‘t possibly haul you all over the country looking like a cowgirl. There is a standard package for the position, including a company credit card, cell phone, personal data device, car service, excreta. You need to be at my beckoned call. I‘ve already gone over the details with Luke. He seemed a lot more eager than you thinking it would be an excellent opportunity.‖

  Lifting her chin slightly, she returned his steady gaze, although she‘d never reveal how nerve racking it was. ―Max, you are only doing this because of Luke. I wanted to try and do things on my own for once without the great Maximilian King 9

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  attached to my name.‖

  A slow smile spread across his handsome face, ―Is that so? Didn‘t anyone tell you, it‘s who you know in this world that gets you places, or at least gets the door open. Then after that you can rely on your own attributes.‖ His eyes dropped to her mouth. He had to admit that if she did use her own attributes they would take her to the top. Especially that mouth. She had a perfect pouty mouth with lips the color of pale roses.